Blanton’s arrival leads to Worley’s departure
CINCINNATI — In 2014, the Minnesota Twins removed Vance Worley from their 40-man roster and told him they wanted him to work as a reliever. The Pirates traded for Worley and returned him to the rotation.
This summer, the Pirates removed Worley from the rotation. Then, seeing a better fit available for the swingman reliever role, they removed him from the 40-man roster.
The Pirates designated Worley for assignment Thursday to make room for right-hander Joe Blanton, whom the Pirates purchased early Thursday morning from the Kansas City Royals.
“It’s more fuel for my fire,” Worley said. “I’ve been through a lot in my career so far. It’s only going to help me.”
The Pirates have 10 days to trade or release Worley, 27, a right-hander. If Worley clears waivers, the Pirates can send him outright to Class AAA Indianapolis, but he can reject the assignment and elect free agency.
“I’ll have to think about that,” Worley said. “I’ve got a couple of days.”
In 13 games since moving to the bullpen — including one spot start — Worley had a 3.00 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched. But the Pirates felt Blanton was better suited for a hybrid relief role.
“I just think we got to a point where we’re asking a man to pitch in a role that he just doesn’t have enough experience to be successful in right now,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.
Worley is making $2.45 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility. He qualified as a Super 2 player in 2014, meaning he has three more years of arbitration remaining.
Worley and Blanton played together on the Phillies from 2010-12.
“I would have been looking forward to playing with him, too,” Blanton. “I was just on the other side of that a couple days ago. … He’s good and he’s a good kid. He’s a hard worker and I know he’ll bounce back somewhere.”
Polanco returns
Gregory Polanco returned to the lineup Thursday after leaving a game Wednesday because of pain in his left knee.